Game Report: River Falls 80, New Richmond 76

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>A big crowd. A big league game in February. And a Friday night. Things couldn't have been any better for Friday's Big Rivers Conference showdown between host River Falls and New Richmond. In a tight, energy-filled game played before a large crowd, River Falls remained in first place with a hard-earned 80-76 victory that went down to the final minuted. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'] led the way for River Falls, which improved to 9-1 in the Big Rivers and 13-5 overall. Graetz had 24 points and seemed to have an answer every time New Richmond made a strong push to overtake the Wildcats. River Falls led 46-43 at halftime and maintained a lead throughout the second half, although New Richmond closed within 75-74 with 1:50 left on a three-point play from [player_tooltip player_id='2140885' first='Braxton' last='Landa']. However, River Falls moved the ball well and worked off more than a minute on the other end before being fouled. The Wildcats made just enough foul shots in the final minute to notch the win over a New Richmond squad that fell to 6-3 in league play and 11-6 in all games under first-year coach Kyle Allen. Hudson and River Falls are deadlocked on top of the Big Rivers standings with 9-1 records.<br><br><strong>GAME MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2410538"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986c3863b027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graetz is known as a three-point sniper, but he has done an excellent job of expanding his game and now is a big threat off the dribble. In fact, all but one of Graetz's field goals in the win over New Richmond came as a result of his quick moves to the basket. His timely baskets in the lane helped River Falls hold off a determined opponent. Graetz finished the contest with 24 points with 10 of his 11 field goals coming either on layups or mid-range jump shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EMERGING PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2984726"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986ca199155a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dependable low-post scoring is often necessary for teams to win close games. And Stellrecht provided just that for River Falls in the Wildcats' narrow win over New Richmond. The muscular 6-foot-5 senior forward repeatedly used his size and physical strength to muscle his way to the basket. He was able to consistently finish through contact on the way to scoring 16 points, including a couple of big baskets late in the game when New Richmond was making a strong push for the lead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3021995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986c3863b0bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stellrecht proved to be a dependable interior scorer for River Falls in its narrow win over New Richmond. The 6-foot-5 forward repeatedly utilized his impressive physical strength to score through contact in the lane. He finished with 16 points and also did a nice job of protecting the basket on the other end of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2920744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986c3863b114"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nesbit's playing time has increased over the past several weeks as he continues to get acclimated to the physical nature of varsity basketball. The sophomore forward used his size and high release to score three big baskets for River Falls off the bench on the way to finishing with seven points. Nesbitt figures to be a key performer for River Falls the rest of this season and the next two years as coach Zach Turpin continues to show more and more confidence in his young big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2501099"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986c3863b171"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like his counterpart of the same last name from River Falls, [player_tooltip player_id='2501099' first='Nick' last='Stellrecht'] used his size and strength to get into the lane and finish well off of two feet. Stellrecht also showed some versatility as he buried a three-point shot while narrowly missing on a few other tries from beyond the arc. Stellrecht finished the game with 16 points and his size and strength around the basket helped as much on defense as it did on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2860936"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6986c3863b1c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A promising young big man who impressed with his spin moves to the basket and with his soft shooting touch from the perimeter, Schwartz came off the bench to score 16 points for New Richmond in its loss to River Falls. He proved to be a bit of a matchup problem because of his varied scoring skills. He has a strong frame to go along with his impressive skills, and his poise and confidence in a big game stood out as well for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>These two teams meet again on Monday in New Richmond in a makeup game. River Falls will need to win again in order to keep pace with Hudson in the league standings. The Wildcats then host Hudson in another enormous league contest next Friday. The results of those two games could very well determine who wins the Big Rivers crown.<br><br>Despite the loss Friday and slipping two games behind Hudson and River Falls in the loss column in the league standings, New Richmond gets the opportunity to play both of those opponents on its home court in the next 14 days. Wins in both of those contests could very well put the Tigers right back in the thick of the chase for the league crown. <br><br><strong>BOXSCORE<br><br>New Richmond (43-33 = 76)</strong><br>Landa 5, Lease 7, Komro 11, Stellrecht 16, Salmon 5, Posel 0, Hidde 8, Schwartz 16, Monson 8, Auvin 0. Three-point field goals: Hidde 2, Schwartz 2, Monson 1, Lease 1, Komro 1, Stellrecht 1. FT: 4-8. Fouled out: None. Record: 11-6.<br><strong>River Falls (46-34 = 80)</strong><br>Graetz 24, Stellrecht 16, Bottolfson 11, Carufel 2, DuMond 12, Johnson 8, Nesbit 7, Radloff 0. Three-point field goals: DuMond 4, Bottolfson 1, Graetz 1. FT: 4-11. Fouled out: None. Record: 13-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->